Developing apparatus



March 3, 1931. I LANGSNER 1,794,909

DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @w r xw March 3, 1931. A LANGSNER 1 794 909 DEVELOPING APPARATUS March 3, 1931. N R 1,794,909

DEVELOPI NG APPARATUS Ia Ell lj4 @Qww A. LANGSNER DEVELOPING APPARATUS March 3, 1931 Filed June 4, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (ill f5 Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES ADOLPH museum, or cnroaeo, rumor PANY, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

PATENT: OFFICE DEVELOPING APPARATUS Application filed June 4, 1928. Serial No. 282,792.

My invention relates to a developing apparatus for developin light sensitive material such as paper by t e action of a developing medium, preferably in the vaporous form such for instance as ammonia gas.

The present invention relates to improved details of construction of'developing apparatus whereby there is provided a self-contained device for developingsheets or continuous strips of light sensitive material and wherein the material may be inserted into the apparatus and automatically developed and discharged therefrom without the escape of the gaseous developing medium from within the cabinet to the surrounding atmosphere and wherein'the various improvements disclosed in the present application contribute to provide a compact conveniently operated and economical'assembly for eiiiciently and easily developing the light sensitive material on a commercial scale.

These and other objects of my present invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of my improved apparatus showing the viewing window through which the feeding cords may I be seen Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the interior of the cabinet;

1* igure 4 is an end view opposite that shown in Figure 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are top and side views of one of the heating members for vaporizing the water and ammonia within the cabinet;

Figures 7 and 8 relate to the construction of a bearin for supporting the slatted drums shown in Figures 18 and 19;

Figures 9 and 10 are modified forms of this detachable bearing support shown in Figures7and8;

Figures 11 and 12 are details of the means for su porting the filling and discharge members fbr the ammonia and water pans or tanks; I I

Figure 13 is a detail view of the gasket construction disposed at the entrance of the cabthe lower cabinet is .housed the prime mover,

inet and which gasket is mounted on a roller that is angularly shiftable for facilitating the arrangement shown in Figure?) of the draw-' Figures 18 and 19 are end and side views of the slatted drums, the same being amodified cgnstruction as shown for instance in Figure 1 Referring now to the drawings in detail, my improved apparatus comprises an enclosing cabinet 2 mounted on suitable legs 4. This ca inet is preferably rectangular 1n shape. Internally it is provided with a partition 6 providing an upper compartment 8 and a lower compartment 10, the former being preferably the developing cabinet in which the developing medium such as the liquid ammonia adapted to generate ammonia gas is kept, while the lower cabinet 10 is the degassing or airing chamber. Each chamber is provided with a discharge outlet, the same being identified as at 12 and 14 for the lower and upper chambers respectively. These openings are closed by shutter valves 16,and 18 which may be moved to regulate the amount of air which may pass through these outlets. a pipe 20 and outlet 14 by means of a pipe 22 to an exhaust pipe 24 which leads to a vacuum exhauster such as a suction fan. In addition, provided preferably at an end with a panel 30 formed with holes or other perforations 32 to admit air therethrough. In the construction shown in Figure 4, this panel is preferably of sheet metal although it may be of wood if desired. For purposes of convenience, T have preferably such for instance as electric motor 34,-ona supporting shelf 36 directly on the panel 32 and this motor is enclosed in a perforated housing 38. The interior of this housing is in open communicafor detachably hold- I Outlet 12 is connected by means of tion with the interior of the lower chamber. The motor is provided'with suitable reduction gearing 40 and a drive shaft 42 which passes into the interior of the chamber and is connected to the feed mechanism for the light sensitive material as hereinafter described. The motor also includes a suitable control 44 having a turning member 46 located on the outside of the panel and adj ustable about a dial so as to adjust the direction of travel of the feeding means. By thus mounting the motor within the perforated housing, I am enabled to utilize a suction exhaust through the pipe 20 and the outlet 16 for drawing air through the openings 38 of the motor housing whereby to keep the motor cool and by mounting the motor externally of the casing I am able to make it accessible for repairs without disturbing the mechanism within the casing. Furthermore by my arrangement the control of the motor is directly accessible from the outside of the cabinet.

The upper chamber or compartment 8 is provided with transparent windows 48 and 50 mounted in frames 52 which are detachably held in position and to the adjacent sash member 54 of the wall of the cabinet by means of the fastening arrangement shown in detail in Figure 14 of the drawings. These windows serve two purposes. One is to permit viewing the interior of the cabinet to see if any obstruction or interference occurs in the feeding of the paper through the cabinet andthe other to permit the removal of such obstruction if anything occurs, or repairs are needed. Since the outer structure of the cabinet is of wood and since these windows may have to be removed at frequent intervals, it is not practical to provide wooden screws for the detachable windows. Therefore I have provided the construction shown in the drawings which illustrates a wedge-shaped bushing 56 which engages in a corresponding seat 58in the frame 54 or side wall of the cabinet and this bushing 56 threadedly engages a bolt 60 having a turning member 62, in such a manner that by drawing up the bushing by means of the bolt and the outer thumb turning member 62, the bushing constantly tightens itself in the wood of the frame.- With this construction, no matter how often the glass frame is removed the screws will always seal the attachment and prevent its becoming loose.

The light sensitive material to be developed within the cabinet by the action of the developing gas is preferably fed into the cabinet through an openingor slot 64 shown at the upper left hand side of Figure 3 and also in detail in Figure 13. This slot is wide enough to receive the maximum width of paper to be developed. In like manner, the

ottom-mest compartment 10 is provided with a discharge slot shown at the lower end of Figure 3 from which the developed material is discharged from the machine into a receptacle 66 of suitabledimension and capacity. Means is provided for continuously feeding the light sensitive material introduced through the slot 64, through the machine and for discharging it from the discharge slot 68 hereinbefore referred to. In

the present embodiment of my invention I' prefer to utilize a plurality of endless cords or belts which run in grooved rollers or guide members located in the cabinet and these rollers and endless cords are arranged in opposition so as continuously to carry the light sensitive material in a devious path through the upper compartment where the developing occurs and thence through the lower compartment where the airing or degasifying occurs. These endless cords are particularly and peculiarly adaptable for my improved developing apparatus since they firmly grip and feed the light sensitive material, such as paper, between them and carry the same along from inlet to outlet of the machine while at the same time they do not interfere with the proper action of the developing gas, or the proper action of the water vapor or steam upon the paper as it travels through the machine. Furthermore these cords readily and snugly cooperate with flexible gaskets of rubber or other yieldable material which serve to provide partition members for isolating the developing chamher from the degasifying chamber and which also serve to wipe the cords and the developed paper carried therebetween free from any occluded gases carried along. Furthermore by the use of these endless cords or belts herein shown, it will be apparent that short sheets of the developing paper as well as continuous strips may be fed in a continuous manner through the machine and without danger of the paper becoming stuck during its travel through the device. Furthermore by the use of relatively fine cords running in grooves in the rollers or guide members, the cords will be kept in spaced relation in a very simple manner and also due to the flexibility of the cords, any arrangement of devious or circuitous travel of the paper through the cabinet may-'be provided, thereby securing a maximum travel of the paper through the cabinet to correspond with the minimum space allowed within the cabinet for the developing action and the degasifying action. In addition these cords being thus spaced apart and covering a negligible superficial area of the paper being developed or developed, will not interfere with the air currents passing through the cabinet for the developing and degasifying action. At the same time these cords provide the neces sary gripping action for firmly holding the paper therebetween for eflecting the paper feed. In the construction shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the upper chamber 8 is provided with a plurality of guide members preferably in the form of guide rolls which are located preferably in the arrangement shown, the same consisting of upper and lower rolls 70 and 72 located just opposite the infeed slit 64, a roll 74 located opposite the roll 70 on the otherside of the cabinet and at the top thereof, a roll 76 mounted on a swinging arm 78 which swings above pivot 80 on a brac-ket82, a relatively larger roll 84 mounted beneath the two rolls 76 and 74, a roll 86 mounted on the left hand side of the cabinet substantially beneath the roll 72 and a roll 88 mounted on the right hand side of the cabinet below the roll 84 and beneath the plane of the roll 86; a roll 90 mounted on the left hand side of the cabinet and beneath the roll 86 and below the plane of the roll 88; a roll 92 mounted beneath the roll 88 and below the plane of the roll 90 and a roll 94 mounted below the roll 90 and the plane of the roll 92. The foregoing rolls are all mounted Wholly within the developing compartment or chamber 8. Additional rolls are mounted within the lower portion of the cabinet or within the de-gasifying chamber 10., These rolls include a roll 96 mounted at the upper right hand portion of the chamber 10 and substantially at the central partition 6; there are also rolls 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108. Rolls 98 and 102 are mounted at the left of the chamber 10 and somewhat toward the base thereof. Roll 100 is mounted at the right of the cabinet directly under roll 96 and below its plane. Rolls 104 and 106 are mounted directly opposite the discharge slot 68 while roll 108 is mounted on the end of an arm 110 pivotally mounted at 112 to a bracket 114 attached to the base or floor of chamber 10. These rolls are provided with peripheral slots spaced along their widths so as to receive a plurality of cords or endless belts which ride in the slots passing around the whole series of rolls. For instance, a series of cords 116 pass around roll 72 at the infeed slot 64 and thence pass across the top of the developing chamber around the roll 84 and thence backwardly again across the chamber and thence aroundroll 86 and forwardly to the right across the chamber, thence around roll 88. thence back around roll 90, forwardly again around roll 92 and backwardly around roll 94 and thence to roll 96. At the junction of this roll, the cords'pass'into engagement with a flexible gasket 118 which is adapted to wipingly engage the cords and also roll 96 whereby to-prevent leakage of gas into the lower compartment. At the same time, the partition member 6 is provided likewise with a flexible gasket 120 which wipes against roll 96. From the roll 96 the cords 116 pass around rolls 98, 100,102. From roll 102 these cords 116 pass to the slot 68 from which slot 64 and thence to the right in opposition to the cords 116. These cords 126 thence pass in unison around rolls 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, and 104 from which roll 104 the cords 126 pass upwardly at the right of the cabinet through an opening 128 which is likewise provided with flexible gaskets 130 for preventing the passing of gas with the cords through this opening. From this point the cords 126 pass upwardly around the roll 74, thence around roll 76, thence to the left again around roll 70. From the foregoing it will be seen that as the two sets of cords 116 and 126 travel together from the inlet 64 to the outlet 68, sheets or continuous strips of paper fed into the inlet 64 will be gripped between the two sets of cords and at the discharge outlet 68. The swinging arms 78 and 110 carrying the roller 76 and 108 respectively function to keep the cords tight or taut as they travel within the enclosing cabinet.

Means is provided for developing the paper or other light sensitive material thus carried by the traveling cords. To this end, I provide the upper or developing cabinet 8 with a pan 130 and additional pans 132 and 134. These pans may contain the liquid ammonia or the upper pan water and the two bottom pans ammonia. In any event I provide each pan with a heater, preferably electric, of a fiat circular nature such as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings'at 136,

and I provide this .flat circular piece with a tubular upstanding portion 138 directly fastened thereto and filled with asbestos and this asbestos is covered with any desirable substance which is not attacked by ammonia,

such as plaster Paris or gypsum. A coupling terminal 140 of hard rubber is embedded in the gypsum. This piece 140 is arranged to completely protect the wire terminals which connect the heater 136 so that the ammonia cannot attack it. The coupling terminal 140 is either of soft or hard rubber and is continued within the cabinet entirely up to the electric socket 142 located on the exterior of the cabinet as shown in Figure 4. The motor connections are carried through the interior of the cabinet to the power sack 144 in a similar manner.

In order to fill and empty the pans 130 to 134 inclusive, I provide at the bottom of each pan directly in line therewith, a nozzle 146, 148, and 150, which nozzles are of course disposed above the liquid level in the pans and these nozzles are preferably provided with a connection to the flexible tube 152 whichis normally closed by means of a stopper 154 which is held in the bifurcated bracket 156, the stopper 154 being above the normal liquid level in the pans. By means of this arrangement, when it is desired to fill the pans, the stopper 154 may be removed and ammonia. poured into the open end of the flexible tube 152 and when it is desired to drain the pans, the stopper is removed and the tube 152 is dropped down below the level of the pipe or nipple 146-shown, so that the ammonia runs out. Obviously a similar advantage may be attained by providing rigid nipples like 146 having an elbow arm which may swing into upstanding position for retaining the liq uid in the pan but which may also swing to a lowered position to permit draining.

Means is provided for facilitating the infeed and also the withdrawal of the light sensitive material through the infeed slot 64. To this end, opposite the slot 64 is provided a substantially L-shaped bracket 158 while in the opposite wall 160 is a rotatable roll 162 having a slot in which is mounted a flexible gasket 164. So also the frame work 160 is provided with a gasket 166 which drags on the periphery of the roll 162. The roll 164 is rotatable by means of a crank or handle located on the outside or front of the machine as shown at 168. When it is desired to feed the paper or other light sensitive matcrial in through this opening 64 the rubber gasket 164 is turned to the position shown in Figure 13. Thus when the paper is fed in it will slip readily past the gasket 164 but the osition of this gasket will insure the retention of the developing gas within the cabinet and prevent its escape through the slot 64. Now, if it be desired to withdraw the fed inpaper for any reason whatsoever, the handle 168 is turned whereby to shift the gasket outwardly away from the horizontal portion of the bracket 158 which will permit the paper fed inside of the machine to be shifted outwardly again. In the position shown in Fi ure 13, the free end of the flexible gasket 164 will prevent the escape of gas but it will also prevent the free outward movement of the sheet of paper being fed. Hence it is necessary to manually shift this or automatically shift it prior to attempting to reverse the feed of travel of the paper into the machine.

In certain constructions, instead of using the arrangement shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, I prefer to use the construction shown in Figure 17 wherein the paper to be developed is passed over an additional memher which serves to prolong the length of time of travel of the material in the developing chamber and to give the developing material a greater accession to the surface to be developed. In this instance there is provided in the pathway of the traveling cords which pass around the guide rolls, a relatively large rotatable vdrum 170 which revolves about a central axis 172. This drum is provided with a series of spaced apart slots 174 arranged on its periphery and these slots being spaced apart permit the air to have free access between the same and in relation to the paper as it passes around the drum thereby accelerating the development of the paper in the upper chamber and accelerating the degasifica'tion of the paper in the lower chamber. In order to insure that any of the guide rolls and drums may be easily removed from the apparatus in order to make repairs and in orderto assemble, I provide each roll with a special carrier mounted on the end of the roll or drum. This carrier comprises a hub 17 8 suitably fixed thereto by means of a screw and carrying a plurality of bolts ina suitable cage 182. This cage 182 is circular in formation and is adapted to frictionally fit in a substantially U-shaped bracket 184 which is open at the top but which snugly grips the circular cage thereby holding the bearing in place, thereby permitting its quick removal by upward movement. In a modified form of my invention shown in Figure 9, instead of having the resilient clip 184 yieldably engaging the cage, I have formed it as a semi-circular member 186 and have provided api voted locking arm 188 pivoted about the arm 190 and formed with a handle 192. T he lower face of the lever 188 is struck on the arc of a circle that is not concentric with the circle of the cage so that by shifting the arm, a locking efiect such as shown in the drawing is produced so that the cage is held firmly in position and locked therein while the inner race rotates on the balls. This provides a modified form of very quick assembly and locking means for holding the bearing in locked position. It will be noted that the large drums 170 are provided with openings 176 which permit the air to pass freely therethrough and. out through the openings 17 8 between the slots.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a most complete self-contained developingv cabinet wherein light sensitive material such as ozalid developing paper may be passed through the same either in short sheets or in continuous strips from the inlet slot 64 and discharged through the exit slot 68; that in the continuous passage of this paper the same will be developed by the action of heated ammonia which rises from the pans or containers and comes into contact with the light sensitive side of the material as it travels between the twosets of endless cords which in turn are driven by the appropriate guide rollers connected to the drive shaft of the motor: that by reason of the mounting of the arms 78 and 110, the two guide rolls 7 6 and 108 rest freely and rotatably if desired upon the cords 126 and 116 respectively thereby taking up any slack in ing to control the escape of-air through this these cords; that due to the arrangement of the electric heating plates in the pans and the insulating connectlons therefrom to the electric plugs on the outside of the machine, the liquid in the pans, either water or ammonia, may be vaporized directly by a controlled medium from the outside of the machine and without any danger of the ammonia gas heating or destroying the connections ;that by reason of the novel form of shiftable roller with its flexible gasket and mounted at the inlet slot of the machine, I am enabled to prevent the escape of the ammonia gas outwardly through the slot while at the same time by reason of its rotatable mounting, I am enabled to permit the light sensitive material to be passed backwardly as well as forwardly through this opening; that by reason of the perforated air inlet at the panel 32, the air may be drawn inwardly through the degasifying chamber and co-extensively through the lower chamber, and pulled outwardly through the valved pipe 20, the valve 26 servdischarge to the suction fan. In a like manner, by reason of this suction exhaust the air is drawn through the perforated housin 38 around the motor to keep the motor 0001- w ile at the same time, utilizing this air as an airing influence on the occluded gases on the paper to remove the same and carry them ofi through the discharge outlet. In addition I have provided each of the cabinets, the lower and upper, with a valved air outlet 12 and 14 which permits a finer control of free air entering these cabinets. It will be noticed that in using the valves 26 and 28, the control from the suction exhaust pipe 24 maybe made to either of the upper or lower compartments, for instance, if the valve 26 is closed, a complete exhaust of the ammonia fumes on the upper cabinet 8 is made available while by closing the upper valve 28 and controlling the lower valve 26 regulation of the exhaust in the lower part may be adjusted. Further-.

more by controlling the speed of the motor 'by means of the rheostat 46, any desired speed of the light sensitive material through the developing and dgasifying chambers may be availed of. Inaddition, in the construction shown in Figure 17, the relatively large open work drums may be utilized in connection with the guide rolls and endless cords for providing a greater travel of the light sensitive material and a greater developing and degasifying efiect.

The claims of the present application are restricted to details and improvements in construction over my prior ending applications filed by me, Serial Nils. 240,157, filed December 15, 1927 246,137, filed January 12, 1928; 248,744, filed January 23, 1928; 248,- 745, filed J anuar 23, 1928 253,558, filed F ebruary 11, 1928, t ebroad claims to which are found in said prior applications.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A developing apparatus for developing light sensitive material by the action of developing gas comprising means forming an enclosing cabinet, a partition in said cabinet providing a developing chamber and a separate airing chamber, one of the walls of said cabinet forming the airing chamber being provided with perforations substantially coextensive with said airing chamber, and a suction exhaust pipe having connections with said airing chamber and said develop ing chamber, means in said developing chamber providing a source of developing gas, a slot in the wall of said developing chamber providing a means for the infeed of the light sensitive material and a slot in the wall of the developing chamber providing a discharge for the developed light sensitive material, and means cooperating with said slots for gripping the light sensitive material fed through the infeed slot and for conveying the same in a devious path through the developing chamber, and thence through the airing chamber and discharging the same through the discharge slot, and means for preventing the passage of the developing gas from the developing chamber outwardly through the infeed slot and for preventing the passage of the developing gas from the developing chamber'to the airing chamber.

2. In an apparatus for developing light sensitive material by the action of chemically active gas comprising an enclosing cabinet provided with means forming an upper developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, said developing chamber having its'wall provided with a slot for the insertion of light sensitive material and said airing chamber having its walls provided with a slot for the discharge of said light sensitive material, a plurality of guide rolls in said two chambers, certain. of said guide rolls being arranged in a pair opposite the infeed slot of the developing chamber and certain of said rolls being arranged in a pair opposite the discharge slot in the airing chamber, and a plurality of endless belts extending around said slots, said belts coming together at the rolls opposite the infeed and extending from such point in a devious path through the developing chamber and through the airing chamber, and departing into separate paths at the rolls opposite the discharge slot, and means for moving said belts whereby light sensitive material inserted through the infeed slot will be passed between said rolls into position between said belts and will thereby be carried through said chambers and discharged through the outlet slot, means in "said developing chamber forming a source of developing gas, and means for introducing fresh air into said airing chamber, and suction means connected to said developing chamber and airing chamber.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of means forming an enclosing cabinet provided with a horizontal partition forming an upper developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, the wall of said developing chamber being formed with an infeed slot and the wall of said airing chamber being provided with a discharge slot, a pair of rolls in said developing chamber arranged opposite the infeed slot and a pair of rolls in the airing chamber arranged opposite the discharge slot and additional rolls in said chambers disposed in spaced apart relation. said rolls having peripheral slots spaced along their width and a plurality of cords passing over said rolls and lying in said grooves, said cords being formed asendless belts and arranged so as to come together at the rolls opposite the feed slot and to depart into separate paths at the rolls opposite the discharge slot, said cords remaining together intermediate said pairs of rolls whereby light sensitive material introduced through the feed slot will be introduced between said spaced cords and carried through said developing and airing chambers and discharged through the discharge slot, and means for moving said cords together, brackets in said upper chamber and trays containing developing liquid therein, electric means for heating the developing liquid in said trays, said electric meanshaving a connection on the outside of said enclosing cabinet to a source of current, an arm pivotally mounted in said upper cabinet and having a roll resting by gravity on one of said cords, and a similar arm in a lower cabinet resting on the other cord whereby to take up slack, said lower cabinet having a connection to the outside air and having a connection to a suction exhaust and said upper cabinet having a connection to a suction exhaust.

4. In a device of the class described, the

- combination of an enclosing cabinet having a horizontal partition forming an upper developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, one of the walls of said airing chamber being provided with a panel substantially co extensive with said. airing chamber, said panel being provided with spaced apart perforations forming air passages, the other wall of said lowering chamber having a valve connection with a suction exhaust pipe, the wall of said airing chamber having a slot for the discharge of light sensitive material said partition having a plurality of perforations therein for the passage of cords therethrough and the wall of mid upper chamber being formed with a slot providing an infeeding means, and the wall of said upper chamber having a valve connection to a suction exhaust, and a plurality of rolls in said upper and lower chambers, two of the rolls in the upper chamber being slightly spaced apart and having the space therebetween disposed opposite the infeed slot and two of the rolls of the lower chamber being spaced apart with a space between opposite the discharge slot, all of said rolls having peripheral grooves spaced apart along their width and a plurality of sets of endless cords running around said rolls and lying in said grooves, said cords and rolls being constructed and arranged so that the cords extend in juxtaposition from the infeed slot to the discharge slot whereby light sensitive material inserted through said infeed roll is carried by said cords through said chambers and discharge through the outfeed slot, said cords passing through the perforations in said partition member, and means disposed in the perforations in said partition member for preventing the escape of the de veloping gas therethrough, a container in said developing chamber adapted to hold a quantity of liquid ammonia and an electric heater for heating said ammonia to evolve ammonia gas in said developing chamber.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet provided with a horizontal partition providing an upper developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, a roller mounted in said partition and flexible gaskets wiping on the periphery of said roller at said partition, said partition being also provided with a plurality of spaced apart holes, the wall of said developing chamher being provided with a relatively wide slot for the reception of light sensitive material, and the wall of said airing chamber being provided with a relatively wide slot for the discharge of the developed material, and a plurality of rolls including a pair of rolls opposite said slots and a plurality of sets of endless cords passing around said rolls and lying in the peripheral grooves therein, means for moving said cords, said cords and rolls and means being constructed and arranged whereby light sensitive material inserted throu h said first mentioned slot will be gripped etwcen said sets of cords and carried in a devious path through said developing chamber, and through said airing chamber, and discharged through said discharge slot, certain of said cords passing through the openings in said partition member, and flexible gaskets wiping against said cords and normally closing said openings thereby to prevent the escape of gas from the developing chamber and the airing chamber, and said cords passing together around the roller mounted in said partition, means in said developing chamber for creating developing gas, and means for passing a current of fresh air through said airing chamber and a suction exhauster connected to said developing chamber and to said airing chamber.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet having a transverse partition providing an upper developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, the side Walls of said developing chamber being provided with detachable panels having transparent windows therein for viewing the operations within said chamber, and one of the walls of said air chamber being provided with a plurality of perforations arranged substantially co-extensive with the cross-sectional area of said chamber, a suction exhaust pipe connected with said developing chamber and with said airchamber, the wall of said developing chamber being provided with a slot forming an infeed and the Wall of said airing chamber connected with a slot providing a discharge, a plurality of peripheral grooved rolls mounted in said chambers, said rolls including pairs opposite said slots and a plurality of sets of endless cords lying in the peripheral grooves of said rolls and extending from said pairs in a devious path through said two chambers, means for moving said endless cords, said means, cords, and rolls being constructed and arranged to receive light sensitive material inserted through one of said slots and carry the same in a devious path through the chambers and discharge the same through said discharge slot, said cords running from the discharge slot independently of each other through holes in the partition member back to the entrance slot, and means at said holes for preventing the escape of developing gas therethrough, and said cords running together around a roller disposed in said partition and flexible gaskets connected to said partition and wiping the surface of said rollor so as to permit the cords and light sensitive material to pass under said flexible gaskets while at the same time preventing the passage of gas from said developing chamber to said airing chamber, means in the developing chamber forming a source of developing gas, and means for introducing ,fresh air into said airing chamber, and means for removing the developing gas and the air from said developing chamber and said airing chamber.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet having an internal partition forming a developing chamber and an airing chamber provided with inlet and outlet slots, means in said cabinet for continuously passing light sensitive material introduced through the inlet slot and to discharge the same throu hthe outlet slot,.-a container in said deve oping chamber adapted to hold a quantity of liquid ammonia and a relatively flat heating element adapted to rest in said container and having an upstanding tubular member filled with insulation and adapted to have the electric conductor connected to the coil pass therethrough, said insulation having a covering of material resistant to ammonia gas, said latter material having embedded therein insulating material resistant to ammonia adapted to receive the'electric conduit, said tube and conduit extending from said heater to a point on the outside of said cabinet having a connection with a source of current.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cabinet having a partition forming a developing chamber and an airing chamber, said airing chamber having one of the walls provided with a perforated panel which panel is substantially co-extensive with the cross sectional area of the airing cabinet, said panel on the exterior of the cabinet having an outstanding bracket, an electric motor mounted on said bracket and a perforated housing covering said motor, said housing communicating with the interior of said airing cabinet, said developing and airing cabinets having connections with a suction exhauster, said developing cabinet having a wall provided with a roll for the'infeed of light sensitive material and said airing cabinet having a wall provided for the discharge,

of light sensitive material, means for feeding light sensitive material through a devious path in said developing and airing chamber and out through said discharge slot, and means in said develo ing cabinet for creating a source of deve oping gasy and means 1 connecting said motor with the means for feeding the light sensitive material through said cabinet. a

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cabinet provided with a pare tition forming a developing chamber and an airing chamber, said developing chamber having a slot forming an infeed, said airing chamber having a slot forming a discharge, means in said cabinet for feeding light sensltive material from the infeed in a devious path through the developing chamber and through the airing chamber and out through the d1scharge, a relatively shallow pan in said developing chamber adaptedto hold a quantity of liquid ammonia, said pan having a conduit disposed at the bottom of the pan for draining the same, said conduit passing out through the wall of said cabinet and terminatmg on the exterior thereof and having a connection adapted to be moved to a point above the horizontal plane of the conduit and adaptedto be shifted reversely into a plane below the plane of the conduit whereby to receive liquid amnionia to fill the pan or to provide a drain of the liquid ammonia in the pan to a point outside of the cabinet. v

10. In a device of the'class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet provided with means forming a developin chamber and an airing chamber, the wall 0 said cabinet at the developing chamber ha a slot to receive light sensitive paper and the wall of the airing chamber having a slot to discharge light sensitive paper, a roller rotatably mounted in said slot in the developing chamher, said roller having a slot extending longitudinally thereof and a strip of flexible gasket disposed in said slot with the free edge of the gasket wiping against the adjacent opposed wall of the cabinet forming said slot whereby to seal said opening, and a second strip of flexible gasket for sealing the opposed junction between the periphery of said roll and the wall of said chamber in which the roll is mounted, and means in said cabinet disposed opposite said slot for gripping and conveying light sensitive material introduced through said slot into said cabinet, and means in said cabinet for developing light sensitive material fed thereinto, said roll being constructed and arranged to be shifted angularly to shift said first mentioned flexible gasket relatively to the opposed wall forming said slot to permit the free infeed of the light sensitive material or the reverse feed of said light sensitive material.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of means forming an enclosing cabinet provided with a horizontally disposed partition forming a developing chamber and a lower airing chamber, the wall of the developing chamber being provided with a detachable and transparent window for viewing within the developing cabinet or for making repairs when said window is detached, portions of the end wall of said cabinet having openings therein connected with the developing and airing chamber, said connections in turn connecting with a suction exhauster, the opposite end wall of the airing cabinet having a perforated panel to. permit the passage f air through said. perforations, said panel being formed with an outstandin bracket, a motor on said bracket having a s aft assing into said airing chamber and a per orated housing enclosing said motor, the interior of said housing communicating with the interior of said airing chamber, a container pan mounted in the developing cabinet and hav' ing a conduit disposed at the bottom of the container and passing through the end wall of the cabinet at which the panel islocated and having an emptyin terminal capable of being shifted above or elow the horizontal plane of the conduit, an electric heater in said pan, the wall of said heater having an ammonia resistant insulating covering extending from said heater to the end of the cabinet in which the panel is located and terminating in electric coupling at the outside of said cabinet, and means in said cabinet for feeding i light sensitive material from an infeeding slot located in the wall of said developing chamher through said developing chamber and through said airing chamber and for discharging the same through a discharge slot in said latter chamber, and a valved outlet for i both the airing chamber and the developing 12. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet adapted to hold a quantity of developing gas, said cabinet having a slot through which light sensitive material is fed into said cabinet and said cabinet having means therein opposite said slot for receiving light sensitive material and feeding it through said cabinet, and means at the mouth of said slot for preventing the escape of developing gas therethrough, said means including a flexible gasket and shiftable into a plurality of positions to permit said light sensitive material to wipingly pass by said gasket when fed into said machine when said means is in one position and to permit said light sensitive material to be discharged in the reverse direction wipingly past said gasket when the means is shifted into another position.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a cabinet provided with a partition forming a developing chamber and an airing chamber, said chambers having inlet and discharge slots respectively, a plurality of guide rolls in said chambers, certain of said rolls being arranged in pairs opposite said slots, said rolls being formed with peripheral spaced apart grooves, a relatively large rotatable drum mounted in said developing chamber and in said airing chamber, said drum being apertured at its end for the passage of air or gas thereinto and the periphcries of said drums being provided with spaced apart slats to provide openings therebetween and a plurality of sets of endless cords passing around said rolls and drums, and means for moving said cords, said cords, rolls, and drums being constructed and arranged sothat said cords move together from the entrance slot in a devious path through said chambers to the outlet slot whereby light sensitive material inserted through said inlet slot will be passed through said chambers and discharged from the cabinet, means in said developing chamber providing a source of developing gas, and means in said airing chamber for passing fresh air therethrough.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet having suitable partitions to provide a developing chamber and an isolated airing chamber, said developing chamber containing a source of ammonia gas, a paper feed inlet for said developing chamber and a paper feed discharge for said airing chamber, means located in said inlet and discharge openings for preventing the escape of ammonia gas therethrough while permitting the free passage of light sensitive paper therethroughand conveying means disposed in said chambers within the cabinet and constructed and arranged to receive the light sensitive material inserted through the inlet and to carry the same through the developing chamber and thence through the airing! chamber and discharge the same through t e outlet,said airingcham- I ber having a perforated wall, the perforations cabinet, a partition within the same forming a developing chamber and an airin chamber, a source of ammonia gas in said eveloping chamber, said developing chamber havin a paper feed inlet and said airing cham r chambers for continuously conveyin light sensitive material introduced througi said inlet through the develo ing chamber and airing chamber and disc arging the same through the outlet, an electric motor mounted on the exterior wall of the airing chamber and having an operative driving connection through the wall of the chamber with said conveying means, a perforated housing enclosing said electric motor, said perforations being constructed and arranged to pass air through said housing and the interior portion of the housing communicating with the airing chamber, said airing chamber having at a remote portion thereof, a connection to an exhauster whereby the air passing throu h the motor housing will assist in cooling t e motor and will pass through the airing c amber to assist in de-gasifying the developed light sensitive material on its passage through the airing chamber.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a gas-tight cabinet provided with an aperture for the insertion of light sensitive material into the cabinet, of a flexiblegasket shiftably mounted in one wall of said aperture, said gasket having a face arranged-to snugly wall of the aperture for eeping the container gas-tight at all times, and a manually operable member for shifting said gasket to ex tend in opposed directions whereby the opposed faces of the gasket may engage said opposed wall of the aperture so that light sensitive material may be inserted into or Withdrawn from the cabinet between. the gasket and the opposed wall of the aperture while the cabinet remains substantiallyfgasti t.

lf, In a device of the class described, the combination with a gas-tight cabinet adapted to contain gases for the developing of light sensitive material and provided with an aperture for the insertion of light sensitive material into the cabinet, and a support member mounted atone edge of said aperture, an outwardly extending flexible gasket carried by said member in position to engage the opg a paper feed outlet, and means in said engage an opposed posed wall of said aperture, and a manually operable member for shifting said support member to cause opposed side of said gasket to engage said opposed wall of the aperture whereby to permit light sensitive material to be inserted into or withdrawn from said cabinet betweensaid opposed wall and the side of said gasket engaging said opposed wall while preventing the escape of developing gas from the cabinet, and a flexible gasket secured to the side walls of the cabinet adjacent said slot and having a free edge engaging the shiftable member whereby to seal the opening between said member and the edge of the aperture along which the same is mounted.

18. In a device 'of'the class described, a cabinet, a partition arranged in said cabinet to form a developing chamber, an isolated airing chamber, said partition having an opening through which light sensitive material may be passed, an exhaust outlet for said airing chamber connected to a suction exhauster, a source of developing gas for the developing chamber, said airing chamber having an apertured wall, an aperture of which is open to the atmosphere whereby air may be drawn into the airing chamber and out through the exhaust outlet, a pair of endless belts associated with said guides and cooperating to grasp therebetween and convey light sensitive material along a predetermined serpentine path successively through the developing chamber and the airing chamber, and means for preventing the escape of developing gas from the developing chamber at the said opening through which the light sensitive material is passed into the develo ing chamber, and also at the point where t 6 light sensitive material is expelled from the developing chamber into the airing chamber, said means comprising a solid. member arrangedin a side of said opening and across which light sensitive material may be moved the light sensitive material to hold the same against the solid member as the light sensitive material passes through the openin 19. In a device of the class described, the combination with a-gas-tight cabinet, of a partition forming a developing chamber and an isolated airing chamber, an exhaust outlet for said airing chamber connectin with a suction exhauster, a source of deve opin gas for the developin chamber arrange within the chamber, sai airing chamber having a perforated wall opening to the atmosphere whereby a current of air may be drawn through the airing chamber and out throu h the exhaust outlet means comprising gui es arranged within the cabinet, one of which is arranged between the end of said partltion and a wall of said cabinet and cooperating pairs of'continuous conveyors carried by the guides whereby light sensitive material may be passed along a predetermined path successively through the developing chamber and the airing chamber, and means arranged in said path for preventing the escape of developing gas from the developing chamber at the point where the light sensitive material may be introduced into the developing cabinet and at the point where the light sensitive material is expelled from the developing chamber into the airing chamber.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cabinet having a partition forming a developing chamber and an isolated airing chamber, a source of developing gas for the developing chamber, means permitting the escape 0 developing gas from the developing chamber, said means including a suction exhauster and a valved outlet for said developin chamber, a valved exhaust outlet for said airing chamber connected to said suction exhauster, said airing chamber having a perforated side wall opening to the atmosphere whereb a current of air may be drawn therethroug 1, through the airing chamber and out through the exhaust outlet, and means for conveying light sensitive material successively through the developing chamber and the airing chamber.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cabinet having a partition forming a develo ing chamber and an airing chamber, each 0 saidchambers having an outlet connected to a suction exhauster, a source of developing as for said developing chamber, said airing c amber having the wall opposed to the exhaust outlet provided with a series of perforations substantiall coextensive with the area of the airin c amber whereby a current of air may i6 drawn through the airing chamber and out through the exhaust outlet, and means for passing light sensitive material through the developing chamber and through the airing chamber.

22. A device for developing light sensitive material by the action of a gaseous developing medium comprising an enclosing cabinet 7 provided at one portion with an infeed opening and at another portion with a discharge opening, a partition within said cabinet arranged to provide a developing chamber and an airing chamber, a plurality of guides disposed in said cabinet one of said guides being located at the end of the partition and a plurality of endless belts associated with said guides and passing around said guide at the partition and arranged so as to receive therebetween light sensitive material inserted through the infeed opening and to carry said light sensitive material in a predetermined serpentine ath of travel through the developing chamr and then through the airin chamber and to discharge the same out 0% the exhaust Q opening, a source of developing gas in said developing chamber, and means for causing a circulation of air through said airing chamber and means associated with said cabinet and with said endless cords and constructed and arranged to cooperate with the light sensitive material being fed by said cords whereby to substantially prevent the passage of the developing gas from the developing chamber tothe airing chamber during the feed of the light sensitive material therethrough. 7 23. A device for developing light sensitive material by the action of a gaseous developing medium comprising an enclosing cabinet provided at one portion with an infeed opening and at another portion with a discharge opening a partition within said cabinet providing a developing and airing chamber and having an opening through which light sensitive material may be passed, a source of developing gas in said developing chamber, a plurality of guides disposed in said cabinet and a plurality of sets of endless conveyors associated with said guides and passing around said guide at the partition and arranged so as to receive therebetween light sensitive material inserted through the infeed opening and to carry said light sensitive material in a predetermmed circuitous path of travel sequentially through the developing and airing chambers and to discharge the same out of the exhaust opening, at least one of said guides being arranged at said partition opening to gulde light sensitive material therethrough, and means associated with said cabinet and with said endless conveyors and a guide and comprising a flexible gasket adapted wipingly to engage the conveyors and the light sensitive material as it travels along in such a manner as. to permit the travel of said light sensitive material while at the same time preventing the passage of the developing gas from the developing-- chamber into the airing chamber, or conversely, the passage of the air from the airing chamber into the developing chamber.

24. A device for developing light sensitive material by the action of a gaseous develop ing medium, the combination comprising an enclosing cabinet provided at 'one portion with an infeed opening and at another portion with a discharge opening, a partition extending horizontally across said cabinet from one wall thereof to a point terminating short ofthe opposite wall to provide a developing chamber and an airing chamber, a source of developing gas for said developing chamber, a guide having spaced peripheral grooves mounted opposite said terminating end of the partition, additional grooved guides mounted in said cabinet and associated with said first mentioned guide, a plurality of sets of endless cords disposed in the grooves of said guides whereby to provide a feeding means for the light sensitive material so that such material inserted through the infeed opening will be carried between said cords in a predetermined path sequentially through said developing chamber, around .said first mentioned guide roll and past the 25. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a gas-tight cabinet, provided with an aperture for the insertion of light sensitive material, of a shiftable member mounted at one wall of said aperture, a flexible gasket carried by said shiftable member in position to resiliently lie against an opposed wall of the aperture, and means operable to shift said shiftable member to cause one or other of the opposed sides of said gasket to lie against said opposed wall whereby light sensitive material may be inserted or withdrawn from said cabinet through the aperture while preventing the escape of developing gas from the cabinet.

26. In an apparatus for developing light sensitive material by the action of chemically active gas comprising an enclosing cabinet provided with means forming an upper developing chamber anda lower airing chamber, said developing chamber having its wall provided with a slot for the insertion of light sensitive material and said airing chamber having its Walls provided with a slot for the discharge of said light sensitive material, a plurality of guide rolls, certain of said guide rolls being arranged in a pair opposite the infeed slot of the developing chamber and certain of said rolls being arranged in a pair opposite the discharge slot in the airing chamber, and a plurality of endless belts extending around said rolls, said belts coming together at the rolls opposite the infeed and extending from such point in a devious path through the developing chamber and through the airing chamber, and departing into separate paths at the rolls opposite the discharge slot, and means for moving said belts whereby light sensitive material inserted through the infeed slot will be passedbetween said rolls into position between said belts and will thereby be carried through said chambers and discharged through the outlet slot, means in said developing chamber forming a source of developing gas, and means for introducing fresh air into said airing chamber,

and suction means connected chamber.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ADOLPH LANGSNER.

to said airing 

